Smokies' April Fools' prank baffles dozens

The Tennessee Smokies baseball team is abandoning its East Tennessee roots in favor of a new name and mascot, at least that's what they want you to believe.

The general manager announced Monday morning they were changing the name to the Tennessee Browns in honor of Jimmy Haslam. Haslam just bought the Cleveland Browns last year.

Turns out, it was all just an April Fools' joke. The team committed to the joke, even answering the phones as "The Tennessee Browns" instead of the "Tennessee Smokies."

General Manager Brian Cox said the joke baffled dozens of fans.

"There was people that would just call in and hang up the phone because they didn't believe when they heard this. All of a sudden she'd answer the phone and say 'Tennessee Browns' and they were like 'you're kidding.' It went well," said Cox.

Again, it was all just a fun April Fools' prank. The Tennessee Smokies will remain the Smokies.